How do I get better?

I am able to beat most of my 2400 friends fairly consistently, but for some reason i can never get there myself. Any idea why (based on my game history)?

1. Solidify Your Repertoire Refine your French Defense ideas. Avoid speculative lines like 4...f6 unless you’ve prepped them deeply. Choose dependable responses against early deviations like Bg5. 2. Deepen Your Understanding of Structures Sometimes you win despite a bad structure — but when tactics don’t work, structure wins games. Study classical French pawn breaks (like ...c5, ...f6 later, not early), and when to exchange in the center. 3. Practice Defensive King Play Play training games with handicaps — give yourself early king walks or poor positions and learn to survive. This sharpens your calculation and teaches how to convert chaotic positions into wins without luck.